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Purnabhadra

c. Late 15th or early 16th century
Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan or Chinese
Purnabhadra, whose name means “He Who Is Replete with Goodness,” is the king of a group of wealth guardians called yakshas and an attendant to Vaishravana, Guardian of the North, Protector of Wealth and Buddhist teachings. Purnabhadra holds a vase brimming with jewels and an obese mongoose with eight auspicious items spilling from its mouth. The mongoose represents wealth both because it preys on snakes—the traditional custodians of wealth— and because mongoose pelts were once used to make money bags.

Object Details

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